Careers in Welding Trailer

Careers in Welding Trailer

Since 2011, the AWS Careers in Welding Trailer has been a driving force for welding education and career development. The 53-foot single-expandable trailer provides visitors with a unique learning experience. Its wide array of hands-on exhibits engages the senses and sparks an interest in the welding industry.

Featured Exhibits

There are several interactive exhibits on board the trailer. Each exhibit is different and focuses on an individual aspect of welding. With so much to see and do, visitors can easily spend a few hours inside. The difficult part is deciding where to begin.

Here are some of the trailer’s most popular exhibits:

The Lincoln Electric VRTEX 360 WeldersThe five VRTEX 360 welders are the trailer’s main attraction. These virtual welders allow visitors to jump into welding. The sights, sounds, and real-world environments create an immersive experience which shows participants what welding is all about.

The Social Media KioskThe Social Media Kiosk lets visitors document their experience on the trailer. Users are able to take a set of four pictures via webcam. Once the pictures are processed, they are able to send them to their email and share them on social media.

The Pressure Vessel and Welding CouponsThe trailer’s pressure vessel and six welding coupons show how welding is used in everyday applications. The pressure vessel was welded using multiple processes and positions. The coupons were welded in multiple positions.

These exhibits, along with everything else on the trailer, give visitors a well-rounded experience; they should leave with a better understanding of welding, and an appreciation for the people who do it.

Why is the Trailer Important?

The trailer was started with one goal in mind; to attract more people to the welding field. By 2025, the industry will suffer a shortage of 400,000 welders. Despite this significant loss, welders can still make a lot of money for the work they do. An entry level welder can make around $25,000 to $50,000 a year. For some people, the trailer is their first look into a career that is both exciting and financially rewarding.

Where does the Trailer Go?

The AWS Careers in Welding Trailer has been to over 25 states and Canada since its first tour in 2011. With an average of over 11,000 miles driven each year, the trailer definitely covers a lot of ground. The annual tour schedule will change from year to year, but it still makes an impact on its visitors wherever it goes.

2018 Tour Schedule

Event Date

Event

Location

Jul 10-12

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days

Marshfield, WI

Jul 14-15

AirExpo

Eden Prairie, MN

Jul 21-22

Milwaukee Air & Water Show

Milwaukee, WI

Jul 28-29

Detroit Maker Faire

Dearborn, MI

Aug 7-9

Minnesota Farmfest

Redwood Falls, MN

Aug 16-19

Iowa State Fair

Des Moines, IA

Aug 23-26

Minnesota State Fair

St. Paul, MN

Sep 18-20

OSU Farm Science Review

London, OH

Oct 16-18

Sunbelt Ag Expo

Moultrie, GA

Oct 24-26

National FFA Expo

Indianapolis, IN

Nov 6-8

FABTECH

Atlanta, GA

Explore Welding Tour Videos

These videos will give you a better idea of what to expect on the Careers in Welding Trailer: